I was hoping to get some input from someone with experience teaching both elementary and high school students. I have been offered a choice between the two in Budapest, Hungary. I've never been, and this will be my first time teaching abroad. I've worked as a nanny for 12 years, but my (albeit meager) teaching experience has been with adults. I have a TEFL, and am halfway to my MAESL.

Perhaps it's wrong to generalize, but I'm curious to learn about any glaring differences between these populations in Hungary vs. the US. I'm aware of the challenges that each age group presents in my own culture, but what about (your typical) Hungarian kids?

I wish I could help you but I can't. I do have a question for you though. I see you are from the US and you managed to find a ESL job in Hungary (Budapest of all locations). Did you find this through the (paid) CETP program? I'm also from the US and spent two years teaching English in Georgia and would love to teach in Hungary but everything I have read indicates that it's difficult for non-EU residents to find work there. Would love to hear your experience.

Hey, I am actually also curious about teaching in Hungary. It's one of my favorite countries by far, did you have to go through CTEP to find work? It seems they have a monopoly on the ESL game there. I would love to hear from you. Thanks!

Hey vashdown2 - It's not over 3,500 - it's 2,500. If you come at the last minute they knock it down to 1,500. But yes, you are correct, it is a steep price to pay up front. Having never done this before, I thought it worth the price being that they take care of everything for you - securing a job, finding an apartment, not to mention all the bureaucratic nonsense. I've a fabulous contact teacher willing to help at the drop of a hat, a (nearly) tax free salary, health insurance, and a bus pass (gotta relish those small pleasures javascript:emoticon('') ). As someone who's still green, I can't imagine the headache of trying to take care of all that on my own. I know it's doable, but I guess I'd just rather pay someone else to do all that for me. Is CETP the answer for everybody? No. But for me it's been a good thing so far.